Environmental groups warn that the public is at risk of being shut out of renegotiation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a landmark policy that since 1972 has driven critical public health and water quality improvements in the region.

In a letter sent to the governments three weeks ago, the groups expressed concern that the oversight would seriously undermine confidence in the final agreement, depriving the governments of public input now and public support later. To date, government negotiators have failed to acknowledge the letter and its recommendations.

“Without public guidance during renegotiation of this binational agreement, we’re far less likely to see any eventual restoration benefit on the ground,” said Lyman Welch, Water Quality Program manager for the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “If no one’s watching now, who will be watching when the rubber meets the road during the agreement’s implementation?”

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